PARAMEDICS attended nearly 40 per cent more emergency calls in Croydon than normal following England's opening World Cup clash with the USA last Saturday.

In the hours after the disappointing 1-1 draw, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called to 51 emergencies in the borough – a third more than the expected 37.

Football fans who had too much to drink were the main reason for the 37 per cent increase in calls between 9pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday.

LAS is now focusing on England's next match – with Algeria today (Friday).

Paul Cook, ambulance operations manager for Croydon, said: "Typically we saw patients who are dehydrated and then there were those who had got into a fight or been assaulted.

"People should be sensible.

"Eat before drinking, take on plenty of water and don't overdo it."

LAS has extra staff on duty to cope with the increase in calls after England games, but is urging football fans to only call 999 in an emergency.